What is Flexitarianism and Why Should I Try It?

“Flexitarianism”… is about eating a mostly plant-based diet but sometimes eating meat or fish.

Is that not just being a lazy vegetarian?

Yeah, it kinda is. But the point is that it’s ok to be like that. It’s not about all or nothing – it’s ok to be somewhere in-between.

Why not just go full-on vegetarian?

It’s hard. And lots of people don’t want to. But what they do want is to add more plant-based foods to their diets and yet still enjoy a steak at the weekend, or barbecued chicken on a hot summer’s day, or roast turkey on Christmas day.

Why bother?

Eating more plants is great for your health. It can help with weight control, getting leaner and can even help you live longer.

How does it help with weight control and getting lean?

Research has shown that vegetarians tend to weigh less than meat eaters and have lower BMI’s.

How exactly is it good for my health?

Plant-based foods tend to be much lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than red meats, which helps reduce your risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and even high blood pressure.

Yeah, yeah.. but I just think that eating some meat and fish is actually healthy?

No problem – that’s allowed. In fact, take it as an opportunity to buy less but better quality meat… e.g. ditch the chicken nuggets and processed burgers for fresh steak or salmon.

Does it really help me live longer?

The National Institute of Health took a look at the connections between what we eat as well as how long we live. They found that eating more plant-based foods can improve the likelihood of lengthening life.

Will I become really preachy and annoying?

No! Flexitarianism is about becoming more positive about plant-based foods. It’s not about changing other people’s opinions.

It’s important to remember that it’s never an all-or-nothing approach – it’s all about moderation. Take the first step, even if it means making a very small change. All of those small changes add up to provide very large benefits.

Here are a couple of helpful tips to help you get started:
1. Find a vegetable in the supermarket you’ve never bought before, bring it home and find out some great ways to cook it! Here’s a great recipe for Curry Roasted Cauliflower.